Brian’s Boat Club

and outdoor adventures

By Roselle Tenefrancia

Adam next to one of the old barge wrecks hidden in Fraser Islands Creek system

Foggy morning heading off for the weekend Many would say that social media have taken over our lives. The various platforms of social media have been praised, criticised, celebrated and shunned, depending on where you stand or how it affects you. For Brian Smith, this current digital platform has given him and boating enthusiasts in Southeast Queensland a new and easy way to get people together. Using Brian’s Boating & Outdoors as his social media handle on Facebook and Instagram, he has been seeing a growing interest in his adventure tag-along activities. “The interest is increasing every week with guys and gals wanting to come along and get involved. I think many months ago we were averaging around 10 boats per trip, give or take, but we are now averaging 17 boats, with one of the recent South Stradbroke weekends seeing 25 boats lining the shore,” notes Brian. While it all just started with Brian doing a call-out on Facebook for boaties who wanted to join him for his boating trips, it has grown into a community whose social boating trips have become highlights of their adventures, and a great way to obtain more confidence to boat to new places. While personal boating trips have their advantages, group getaways can be more exciting. “This gives people a great opportunity to discover camping sites or fishing holes that they may not have discovered yet. Then, some of those who joined the group have gained the confidence to return on their own or just with their family. I genuinely think this is an awesome achievement.” He describes one of the weekend getaways they had late 2021. “We camped at the Jumpinpin on South Stradbroke Island. My wife and I arrived around 1pm on a Friday, catching up with the regulars and meeting the newcomers as they arrived to set up camp and settling in for a fish and a beer on the shoreline. Saturday always sees the majority head out for a fish and try their luck for a feed. 25 boats were anchored on Saturday night. We had over 30 people. Some groups shared a campfire while others enjoyed a sunset beer sitting by their own fire and swag. Everyone was welcome to do their own thing.” Despite the growing number of participants, Brian says that the challenges remain very few as the concept is really simple. “There is the date, the time, the details of what we are doing, and where we are meeting depending on the event. If you make it, that’s great. If not, I'm going anyway. What is of big help is that people tell me if they are coming or not. Sometimes, we would meet expecting four boats, and then end up with eight boats on the beach. We always make it work, but then the location may have to change to suit.” In October 2021, they organised a full-moon trip. This time they went further north than SEQ. “Seven excited guys met up on a foggy morning with cars and boats loaded heading for Hervey Bay with a plan to be on the water and on our way by 8am. Secure parking was all sorted at a private residence and we left River Heads boat ramp on schedule, and met by the most glorious conditions we could have asked for. Chasing tuna within 20 minutes of leaving the boat ramp and getting in some sight-seeing and checking out some old wrecks and logging jetties as we made our way south along Fraser Island to our campsite at Garry's Anchorage. We explored the south-western side of Fraser Island, we fished and enjoyed this amazing place until Sunday morning before making our way home.” The basic principle behind Brian’s boating adventures is that there is no pressure to do anything specific. “The authenticity of the people that join us is contagious. There are no expectations or criteria to meet. This is just about getting out there to enjoy a camping and fishing weekend with friends.”

The only planning Brian does is for himself first and what he loves doing, and if others have similar interests then they are most welcome to join. Although he says that over the months, he has shared his adventures with those who also love fishing. “We all have a common interest in fishing and camping so the group dynamic just seems to work every trip. There are guys in their twenties and guys in their sixties. Some bring the whole family and some come alone. It just works.” For those who may not be keen fishers, and just want to boat and camp with the group at the destination, the weekend adventure trips are still open to join. “I do, however, make clear that some of the more hardcore fishing weekends may not be family-friendly and this is expected,” explains Brian. “Whether you come with your family or come alone, you will have met a new group of friends by the end of the day, discovered a new location, and probably learned some new fishing or boating skills by the time you go home.” The year 2022 is looking very promising for Brian’s boating and camping adventures. “January is always a busy time with school and public holidays happening so we will keep the tag-alongs to one night campovers or all night fishing sessions (which I am a big fan of) around the Gold Coast Broadwater or southern Moreton Bay. Late February and March, we will go back to full weekends with camps planned for South Stradbroke, North Stradbroke and Peel Islands. I am planning another away trip with the destination yet to be confirmed, but could be into one of the dams or back to Hervey Bay and heading north this time around.”

South Stradbroke camp site

Whether you are an old hand looking to get on the water for the day, looking to meet new friends, new to the area or new to the trailer-boat world, Brian invites you to check out his page for more information about the many camping and fishing trips in the works for the rest of the year. Facebook: Brian’s Boating & Outdoors

BRIAN’S BOAT ADVICE

What boat? That's the big question I enjoy assisting new boat buyers to answer. First rule is that every boat is a compromise. Asking yourself a few valuable questions will help you and your family get closer to the better outcome and not just what someone may tell you. These questions are: Where are you going to store it? What is your tow vehicle? What will be the boat’s intended use most of the time? Boating has to be easy and with more ease comes more fun. Bigger is not necessarily better if it is going to make your day out on the water more difficult, so look outside the box when choosing a boat or give me a call to challenge the status quo.

FISH & SKI - NEW & USED BOAT WAREHOUSE

30 BOATS

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18 DEMAND AVENUE, ARUNDEL QLD PH: (07) 5563 2223

ANCHORED RIGHT

THE NEVER-ENDING ‘QUEST FOR THE BEST’

Anchor Right produces a range of world-leading anchors and, not willing to rest on their laurels, is constantly on a ‘quest for the best’. So what planted the seed that culminated in an anchor design that is judged by many in the industry to be the top-rated anchor in the world? For the answer to that question, we need to travel back to the days when Rex Francis and his wife, Joy, indulged their passion for boating and fishing, accompanied by their young children. On one family fishing trip in the Wilson’s Promontory area of Victoria, they had anchored to do a spot of fishing, when Rex noticed that the boat was rapidly drifting towards the rocky shore. Clearly, the anchor had failed. Without alarming the family, Rex managed to haul in the offending anchor, start the motor, and navigate his precious cargo away from imminent danger.

When he had time to examine the flimsy anchor, Rex noticed that it had straightened under the strain of supporting their boat in the wavy conditions, failing to keep them attached to the seabed. This caused them to drift perilously close to rocks and almost certain disaster. From that moment, over thirty years ago, Rex began thinking about designing and making an effective anchor. While working in other fields, he used his engineering expertise to design a prototype. In the early days, the small company had to outsource much of the construction. But gradually, with an earnest desire to establish greater control over the manufacturing process, and thus ensure higher quality and the ability to easily tweak the design, Anchor Right began to assume more responsibility for the whole operation. Rex says that establishing the business was not an easy task, as many people were not supportive, but he refused to allow negativity to prevent him from realising his dream to build a world-class anchor.

A true family business, Anchor Right was established by Rex, together with his wife, Joy, who expertly manages the accounting and financial side of the operation. Their son, Brendon, grew into the business and has assumed responsibility for the manufacturing side, while Rex now focuses mainly on sales and marketing. Brendon is actively involved in devising improvements to the anchor designs, and combines his passion for fishing (when he has time!) with ‘road-testing’ anchors to ensure that they behave as expected under real conditions.

The ‘quest for the best’ anchors has led to the world leading SARCA (Sand And Reef Combination Anchor) Excel and Super SARCA models, and Rex and Brendon speak with pride about their range of anchors designed for anything, from fishing boats to live-aboard vessels, to search-and-rescue craft. Anchor Right’s products have, been rated highly on Steve Goodwin’s popular YouTube series on marine anchor testing, with the SARCA Excel consistently rated as #1 overall. However, not content to rely on Steve’s tests, Anchor Right have tested a wide range of rival anchors alongside their own. Their ‘snatch’ tests clearly demonstrate that the SARCA Excel and Super SARCA have easily the greatest holding power of all.

Anchor Right’s anchors have been rigorously tested by Robinson Lifting and Rigging, and Nobles, both NATA facilities in Dandenong. The National Marine Safety Committee subsequently accepted their certification as being of Super High Holding Power.

Rival manufacturers, internationally, have attempted to emulate Anchor Right’s innovative and highly effective designs but, due to a variety of factors from cost-cutting to a lack of understanding of the technology behind a superior anchor, have fallen short of the mark.

Rex and Brendon stress that the success of an anchor also depends on its correct use. There is a need for many boat users to understand more about correctly deploying anchors to ensure proper setting in the seabed, and for retrieving them without causing damage. They speak of the importance of anchor scope – the ratio of chain length to distance above seabed – for conditions, purpose, and duration of anchorage, suggesting that an understanding of effective anchor use could be part of gaining a boat licence.

Anchor Right’s products are so highly regarded in the industry that many boat manufacturers now supply the company’s anchors as standard on their vessels. In fact, the small all-Australian company is becoming so popular, due to its superior and high-quality products, that the business has had to expand, shortly to move into an additional factory space at the Pakenham Business Park location. The future is bright for Anchor Right.

NORGLASS

AN ALL-AUSTRALIAN FAMILY PAINT BUSINESS

Norglass Paints and Specialty Finishes has been an Australian made and owned family business for over 38 years. Purchased in 1982 by Les and Jan Baker, it has become a staple of the Australian market and produces the highest quality paints and surface coatings.

“My step dad and mum committed to producing the best of the best in products and services. It’s a philosophy that I have kept in the business,” says Managing Director, Brett Mould – who is the son of Jan and Les and now runs the business with his wife, Amanda.

All Norglass products are manufactured in their Sydney factory, with each raw material selected for its performance, not price. In fact, every product manufactured by Norglass undergoes a triple-check evaluation to make sure the raw materials are to their highest standard before being used. This process is carried out until the manufactured product is placed on the warehouse shelf for sale. It is what has ensured that every item that leaves the factory really is the best of the best – and why Norglass has been fully endorsed by market acceptance nationally in one of the harshest and most extreme climates on earth.

“Norglass has gone from strength to strength,” says Brett. “We’re so proud of the Australian business we have built. With our products manufactured locally and all our staff from the area – we really are like one big family. And some of us truly are family – I mean, my mum Jan still works for the company and is the one who orders the important raw materials! You can’t beat 38 years of experience.” With over 50 products, Norglass has a start-tofinish approach for consistency and a quality, professional finish every time. From solvents, cleaners, additives, glues, fillers and reinforcing materials to all-important primers, undercoats, finishes and clears – Norglass really does have a solution for every DIY need.

You will find handy DIY guides for every surface on the Norglass website along with instructional videos for popular products, such as making trendy river tables with their market-leading resin product Liquid Glass.

Visit www.norglass.com.au, or call the technical help line on 02 9708 2200, for any questions about how Norglass products can be used for your project.

NORGLASS HAS THE COMPLETE COATING SYSTEM

Specialty Finishes

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT PRODUCTS FROM OUR RANGE

NORTHANE GLOSS: The premium two-pack aliphatic linear polyurethane for durability and fade resistance. Excellent chemical, waterproofing and weathering properties. Ideal for refurbishing most surfaces and where a superior long lasting coating is required. Available in 20 great standard colours (unlimited range of factory tints upon request).

WEATHERFAST PREMIUM ENAMEL:

A balanced blend of premium raw materials to produce the highest quality marine grade enamel. For use on prepared steel, aluminium, concrete, timber and other surfaces where performance and durability is paramount. 22 Great Colours.

SHIPSHAPE PRIMER-UNDERCOAT:

The ultimate high-build performance coating to obliterate background irregularities and provide filling properties prior to coating with single or 2-pack finishes. Suitable for areas of continuous immersion and osmosis repairs. Commonly used as a primer-undercoat and as a topcoat in the bilge areas of boats because of its satin gloss finish.

NORTHANE CLEAR: Northane is a food grade chemical resistant coating, perfect for bar tops, vanity units, co ee tables, benches & more. It comes in a crystal clear gloss or satin finish, plus a vast range of solid colours. This is the perfect finish over any epoxy System. Satin finish also available (interior use only). Sizes 500ml to 10 Litre.

STAYBOND GLUE: Easy to use 2 pack glue. Solventless and non staining with exceptional strength. Bonds to most prepared surfaces. Timber, metals, fibreglass, concrete, fibro, ceramics and glass. It is totally waterproof when cured. Excellent gap filling and non sagging characteristics. NORFILL EPOXY FILLER: A paste-like white, waterproof filler that can be sanded and left as a finish, or painted over. Norfill has excellent non-sagging properties so that even large cracks or holes can be filled in one application. Norfill is solventless and does not shrink, making it the perfect filler where strength and adhesion is important.

NORSEAL WOOD TREATMENT: A water clear epoxy solution designed to penetrate, seal and waterproof particle boards and timbers.

WEATHERFAST POLYCLEAR

GLOSS & SATIN: A tough abrasion resistant gloss coating with high levels of U.V inhibitors for interior and exterior use. Ideal for floors, furniture and marine applications. Also available in satin finish for interiors to produce a natural lustre.

MICROSHIELD: A traditional marine spar varnish. Clear, low odour, high gloss urethane/alkyd blend with high levels of state of the art inhibitors and stabilizers for maximum exterior protection.